Yap.Town

el chango

monkey, guy, fellow

ˈt͡ʃ a n ɡ o
noun · masculine Rare #55,003
monkey In Mexico, also used colloquially for a guy or fellow. In the expression ponerse chango, it means to get alert or be careful.
SP: El chango come un plátano.
EN: The monkey is eating a banana.
guy, fellow Colloquial, especially in Mexico.
SP: Ese chango trabaja conmigo.
EN: That guy works with me.

Ni el patrón tampoco, así es de que ponte chango.

Neither does the boss, so stay sharp.

— Los olvidados (1950)

Pero vale un chingo ese chango.

But that monkey is worth a ton.

— Rudo y Cursi (2008)

Pos póngase chango.

Well, stay sharp.

— Los olvidados (1950)

Oye que ya no podemos tener al chango aquí, me dijo el gerente.

Hey, the manager told me we can’t keep the monkey here anymore.

— Rudo y Cursi (2008)

Sounds similar to

rango ˈr a n ɡ o mango ˈm a n ɡ o tango ˈt a n ɡ o fango ˈf a n ɡ o chancho ˈt͡ʃ a n t͡ʃ o